Selectable abrasive head extended reciprocating tool

Abstract

A main body containing an electric motor reciprocally driving a rigid longitudinal extension which is frictionally suspended within a graspable sleeve may be held to guide a selected abrasive tool head coupled to the front end of the extension. Power may be supplied by a battery, rechargeable or replaceable, or by alternating current through a cord. A vacuum connected to a sanding head having a porous pad backed by an airtight manifold and attachable to the main body may run on alternating current or a battery. The sleeve may be connected to the main body to provide a continuous uninterrupted exterior. The speed may be varied with use of a variable resistor. An appropriate length stroke is obtained with a sufficiently large diameter driven disc pivotally connected to the extension with a rigid link arm. The tool may be used for powered sanding, scraping, or scrubbing with a wire brush, a bristle brush or an absorbent pad. Other tasks such as filing, polishing, hoeing, et cetera, in which reciprocating abrasive work is performed can be similarly powered with attachment of an appropriate tool head.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An extended reciprocating tool, intended to drive any tool head adapted to perform any type of abrasive action including but not restricted to sanding, scraping, and scrubbing in a reciprocating stroke displacement, said extended reciprocating tool comprising: a graspable main body containing an electric motor, a power supply, a graspable sleeve, a rigid longitudinal extension, frictional suspension means, and a coupling;   said graspable sleeve comprising a rigid longitudinal structure possessing a longitudinal interior through which said rigid longitudinal extension extends longitudinally;   said rigid longitudinal extension possessing a rear end mechanically linked to said electric motor such that operation of said electric motor exerts a reciprocating drive upon said rear end of said rigid longitudinal extension;   said frictional suspension means frictionally suspending said rigid longitudinal extension within said graspable sleeve such that reciprocal longitudinal displacement of said rigid longitudinal extension with respect to said graspable sleeve without direct contact between said rigid longitudinal extension and said graspable sleeve is facilitated;   said rigid longitudinal extension possessing a front end terminating in said coupling, said coupling providing mechanical attachment of an abrasive tool head to said front end of said rigid longitudinal extension;   operation of said electric motor within said graspable main body thereby causing reciprocation of said rigid longitudinal extension with respect to said graspable sleeve which may be grasped by one hand and held immobile with respect to the reciprocating rigid longitudinal extension;   whereby mechanical attachment of a selected abrasive tool head upon said front end of said rigid longitudinal extension with said coupling, grasping of said main body with one hand, grasping of said sleeve with another hand, and operation of said electric motor effects powered reciprocal displacement of said tool head in a manner which is readily guided in the performance of a selected abrasive task at a remove from said main body.   
     
     
       2. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 further possessing a handle upon said main body. 
     
     
       3. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 further possessing variable speed control including a variable resistor. 
     
     
       4. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 3 wherein said variable speed control is operated with a dial. 
     
     
       5. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 wherein said sleeve and said main body are constructed in a single piece. 
     
     
       6. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 wherein said sleeve is structurally connectable with said main body. 
     
     
       7. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 6 wherein said sleeve is structurally connectable with said main body in a manner which is continuous such that there is no significant interruption between exterior surfaces of said sleeve and said main body. 
     
     
       8. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 wherein said coupling possesses threading which mates with threading upon a tool head. 
     
     
       9. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 wherein said coupling is of a type utilizing a longitudinal cavity and at least one laterally displaceable member mechanically engaging a tool head inserted in said longitudinal cavity. 
     
     
       10. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 9 wherein at least one said laterally displaceable member comprises a ball bearing laterally displaced outward by insertion of a tool head into said longitudinal cavity and engaging a depression in a lateral surface of said tool head. 
     
     
       11. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 further possessing a vacuum attachment comprised of a sanding head possessing a small particle porous pad, a substantially airtight manifold and the capability of supplying a negative pressure upon said manifold with the use of a vacuum operably connected thereto. 
     
     
       12. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 11 wherein said vacuum is attachable to one's person. 
     
     
       13. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 11 wherein said vacuum is operably connected to said manifold through a flexible hose. 
     
     
       14. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 further including a power cord through which said electric motor may be supplied with alternating current from a standard alternating current supply source. 
     
     
       15. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 further including a battery operably connected to said electric motor and thereby capable of supplying said electric motor with electric current. 
     
     
       16. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 15 wherein said battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
       17. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 15 further including a battery access panel as a portion of said main body enabling removal and replacement of said battery from and into said main body. 
     
     
       18. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 1 wherein said electric motor is mechanically linked to said rigid longitudinal extension through a rigid link arm possessing a forward pivotable connection to the rear end of said rigid longitudinal extension and a rearward pivotable connection to a rotatable disc possessing an axis driven by said electric motor. 
     
     
       19. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 18 wherein said rotatable disc is of a sufficient diameter and said rearward pivotable connection of said rigid link arm is of a sufficient radial distance from said axis to provide a reciprocal displacement imparted to said rigid longitudinal extension which is greater than one inch. 
     
     
       20. The extended reciprocating tool of claim 19 wherein said rotatable disc is of a sufficient diameter and said rearward pivotable connection of said rigid link arm is of a sufficient radial distance from said axis to provide a reciprocal displacement imparted to said rigid longitudinal extension which is approximately one and one half inches.